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For more than 50 years, the Johnson County Park & Recreation District has provided high-quality parks, park services and recreational programs in more than 6,000 acres of parkland and open green space. Each year, the District records more than 7 million park visitors and nearly 1.5 million recreation participations in over 4,000 programs. The District's contributions to the personal lives of Johnson County's citizens have earned the District local appreciation and national acclaim.

Department News

Yoga Homeschool Nature Fitness is the name of this program, which is for ages six and older with a parent. In this class led by a certified youth yoga instructor, participants will combine the positive effects of being outdoors as they explore, hike, and try yoga along the trails. A short animal presentation will follow every session. All children must be accompanied by paying adult. In case of inclement weather, activities will be indoors.

To find these programs in the My JCPRD Activities catalog and online listings, browse first under youth and then under fitness & health. In the catalog and when using the website’s advanced search, look for the keyword “wellness.”

Each single-session offering of Yoga Homeschool Nature Fitness will meet at 10 a.m. on a Thursday in April, including April 4, April 11; April 18, and April 25. The cost for one one-hour program is $5 per person for Johnson County residents and $6 per person for nonresidents. For more information or to register, call (913) 831-3359 or to register online at www.jcprd.com, click on the dates listed above.

Walk on the crushed limestone and natural trails that follow the Kansas River through the city of Lawrence during the next Wednesday Walk being planned this season by the 50 Plus Department of the Johnson County Park and Recreation District.

Participants in this Riverfront Park walk will travel to Lawrence to visit this 994-acre park on Wednesday, April 3. This walk is expected to require an easy level of exertion. Participants are invited to make friends while exploring the great outdoors! We drive; you relax, listen to the wind and experience new destinations!

To find this program in the My JCPRD Activities catalog and online listings, browse first under 50 plus and then under nature & outdoors. In the printed catalog and when using the website’s advanced search, look for the keywords “Wednesday walks.”

This program will depart at 9 a.m. from Antioch Park, 6501 Antioch Road, Merriam. The cost for one six-hour outing, including transportation to the walk site, is $20 per person for Johnson County residents or $22 for nonresidents. Be sure to bring a water bottle, a sack lunch for a picnic after the walk, and a few dollars in case we stop for ice cream. In case of inclement weather, the rescheduling date will be the following week. For more information or to register, call (913) 831-3359 or register online at www.jcprd.com. Please register for this walk by March 27.

While JCPRD’s 50 Plus programs are primarily for people who are age 50 or older, interested parties who have not yet reached that magic age may still be able to attend. Persons 18 and older who are interested in a 50 Plus class are invited to call the 50 Plus Department at (913) 826-3030 for space availability.

Bugs and Mother Nature are the themes of April Animal Tales Storytime sessions being presented by the Johnson County Park and Recreation District’s Outdoor Education Department.

April Animal Tales presentations are: “Busy Bugs” on April 3, and “Hello, Mother Nature” on April 17. The cost per 30-minute session is $2 per person, including adults, payable at the event. Advance registrations are not necessary for this program. Both of these sessions take place beginning at 10:30 a.m. on a Wednesday at the Ernie Miller Nature Center, 909 N. Kansas 7 Highway, Olathe.

Animal Tales Storytime is for ages two to six. All children must be accompanied by an adult. This program features stories, songs, and surprises. Participants will also get to meet a special animal friend at each session. Animal Tales Storytime was one of the many programs cited when the Ernie Miller Nature Center won an Oracle Award for Organizational Service and Leadership in the South Central Region from the National Storytelling Network a few years back. To find this program in the My JCPRD Activities catalogand online listings, browse first under preschool and then under nature & outdoors. In the catalog and when using the website’s advanced search, look for the keyword “storytime.”

For more information about this program, contact the nature center at (913) 826-2800.

Gather your family and pick up your Passport to Adventure for the Interpretive Site Coalition of Kansas City’s annual event at the Ernie Miller Nature Center or at any of more than 20 other sites in the metro area beginning March 30.

Passport to Adventure is a great way for area residents to experience nature, science, and history in their own backyard. The event is meant to encourage the public to visit area nature centers, museums, and historic sites between March 30 and Oct. 31.

This year’s event will kick off from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 30, at the Olathe Bass Pro Shop, 12051 Bass Pro Drive, Olathe. Participants can pick up their 2019 passport, visit booths from participating facilities, see live animals, and participate in hands-on activities. To find this program in the My JCPRD Activities catalog and online listings, browse first under special events and then under fun for all. In the catalog and when using the website’s advanced search, look for the keywords “nature & outdoors.”

The Passport to Adventure program is free, although some sites charge regular admission to their facilities. Participants can also obtain a passport at any of the sites. Passport holders have until Oct. 31 to get their passport stamped at participating sites in order to be eligible for prizes. For a complete list of participating sites for 2019, visit kcpassport.com.

The Interpretive Site Coalition of Kansas City is a nonprofit organization made up of historical, natural, and cultural interpretive sites throughout the Kansas City area. The Ernie Miller Nature Center is owned and operated by the Johnson County Park and Recreation District.

For more information about Passport to Adventure or the kickoff event, call the Ernie Miller Nature Center at (913) 826-2800.

Join the Side By Side Experience 50 Plus vocal performing group beginning March 29

March 6, 2019

The Side By Side Experience, a 50 Plus vocal music and dance group presented by the 50 Plus Department of the Johnson County Park and Recreation District, will be beginning a new 12-session program in late March, and all interested parties are invited to join in and have fun with this group of easygoing performers.

Founded in 1992, the group meets weekly and currently has more than 20 members, including several men. Pianists take turns accompanying the singers and dancers. Drawing on a catalog of 560 songs, the group changes themes monthly. Some themes are based on holidays or seasons, while others come from musical theater or various time periods. In all, the group conducts about 48 rehearsals and 60 shows each year at nursing homes, retirement homes, senior groups, churches, and other interested entities.

Anyone with vocal or dance interests, regardless of skill level, is welcome to join the Side By Side Experience. The next season of rehearsals will meet at 12:30 p.m. Fridays beginning March 29 at Grace Methodist Church, 11485 Ridgeview Road, Olathe. The cost for 12 two-hour sessions is $13 for Johnson County residents or $14 for nonresidents. For more information, call (913) 826-3054. To register by phone, call (913) 831-3359 or register online at www.jcprd.com.

While JCPRD’s 50 Plus programs are primarily for people who are age 50 or older, interested parties who have not yet reached that magic age may still be able to attend. Persons 18 and older who are interested in a 50 Plus class are invited to call the 50 Plus Department at (913) 826-3030 for space availability.